Faster DBS

Speed Up Your Onboarding with Online DBS Checks

Get your staff working sooner with Faster DBS. Our quick, user-friendly online system connects directly to the UK Government Gateway, letting you submit DBS applications in just a few clicks. If you apply before 4 pm, we’ll process your application the same day*—helping you receive your DBS Certificate promptly so new hires can start work faster.

We offer Basic, Standard, and Enhanced DBS Checks.

Any organisation can apply for a Basic check, whereas Standard and Enhanced checks can be requested only if the role carried out is eligible.

With fast and free registration together with our fantastic support staff, using our online system takes the stress out of applying for any DBS check.

*If submitted to us before 4 pm.

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What are DBS Checks?

DBS checks are criminal record background check requests from the Disclosure and Barring Service to the UK police service to disclose any information they hold on an applicant. This allows you to know an individual’s criminal record if they have one.

They are often carried out by people who are employing staff, as it is essentially an employment background checking service. If this is the case for you, more information can be viewed on our DBS Checks for Employers page.

There are three levels of DBS disclosure: Basic DBS check, Standard DBS check, and Enhanced DBS check.

Why Do I Need DBS Checks?

Whether it be a legal requirement, or for your peace of mind, gov.uk DBS Checks help ensure that you’re hiring the right person for your organisation.

Basic disclosures are available for any applicant. Standard and Enhanced are only available to organisations who are entitled by law to ask an exempted question.

Select the wrong type, and you could be applying for it illegally, or you could be illegally hiring someone without doing the appropriate checks! Whilst there is no official list of job roles requiring a DBS check, you can find further guidance on this website.

Do I Need To Apply For More Than One DBS Check?

You should only request the highest level check available for the job role. For example, if you were getting a DBS check for a Nurse, you would only have to apply for the Enhanced DBS Check with Barred Lists. You wouldn’t have to also apply for a Basic or Standard check.

If you represent an organisation and have a specific question, or would like further guidance, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

What Type of DBS Check Do I Need?

Whilst Basic checks are available for any applicant, Standard and Enhanced Checks are only available for organisations who are entitled, by law, to ask an exempt question.

There is no official document listing what type of DBS is needed for a certain job, we go over most of the roles that qualify for each check across the pages on our website. If you are still unsure, you can contact us and we will be happy to help.

What is an Exempt Question?

An exempt question is defined as: ‘requesting an individual to reveal their full criminal history, including spent convictions and cautions.’

Unless the role is listed in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013) and where appropriate Police Act Regulations (as amended in 2019), it is unlawful to ask an exempted question.

What’s the Difference Between Spent and Unspent Criminal Convictions?

Spent Convictions: These are convictions and cautions that the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 determine have reached the point where the person is to be considered (for most purposes) as if they have never committed the offence. In simple terms, they should be given a ‘clean slate’.

Unspent Convictions: Unspent convictions and cautions have not been determined to have reached the point that they should be considered to never have happened. Many convictions can never become ‘spent’, for example, imprisonment of more than 2 years and 6 months, and sexual and terrorism offences.

A full list of offences that will never be filtered from a DBS certificate can be found on the UK Government website.

Only Unspent Convictions will appear on the Basic DBS check, whereas both Spent and Unspent Convictions will appear on Standard and Enhanced level DBS checks.

What DBS Services Are Offered by Aaron’s Department?

If you are an organisation that is located in England and Wales, you are in the right place. Aaron’s Department provides Basic DBS checks, Standard DBS checks, Enhanced DBS checks, Enhanced DBS Checks with Barred List information and Adult First checks.

We have created a very efficient online system that allows us to provide a very cost-effective and fast service. Registration is free, and our support team are friendly and will answer any questions you might have about completing a DBS check, or our Online DBS checking system.

What Will Show Up On A DBS Check?

Depending on the level of DBS Check requested (Basic, Standard, or Enhanced), different information will be displayed. The higher the check, the more information will be included on the certificate.

Below is a guide to what is included in each level of check.

Basic DBS Checks

Basic DBS Checks are suitable for positions of trust or positions involving financial transactions that do not qualify for a Standard or Enhanced check. With the permission of the applicant, any organisation can request a Basic DBS check to find out the applicant’s unspent convictions and cautions.

Aaron’s Department offers Basic DBS checks for any organisation. We do not offer Basic checks for individuals.

What is a Basic DBS Check?

Used for any position or purpose, Basic DBS checks will supply the applicants with a Certificate containing details of convictions and conditional cautions from the Police National Computer (PNC) that are considered unspent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974.

To apply for your own DBS disclosure, individuals should go directly to the UK Government’s website.

Standard DBS Checks

Aaron’s Department is a registered Umbrella Body authorised to process Standard DBS checks. Using our system, you can request a Standard DBS check for positions that qualify for one.

What is a Standard DBS Check?

A Standard DBS Certificate contains a filtered list of spent and unspent: convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings from the PNC. Standard DBS checks are available to organisations for positions included in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Suitable for some roles in the financial and legal sectors, and for people working in an education or care setting including NHS hospitals who have access to regular contact with Children and/or Vulnerable Adults, but are not in a healthcare role.

For further Information and Guidance on Standard DBS checks, you can read our Standard DBS Check page.

Enhanced DBS Checks

Aaron’s Department is a registered Umbrella Body authorised to process Enhanced DBS checks. You can use our service to apply for an Enhanced disclosure certificate for those positions included in both the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975) and the Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) regulations.

Examples of organisations and positions which are eligible for an Enhanced check are personal carers, nursing carers, children supervisor positions, and applicants for gambling licences.

Enhanced DBS Certificates contains a filtered list of spent and unspent: convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings from the PNC. Standard DBS checks are available to organisations for positions included in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. They also include any information that the local police force considers to be relevant for disclosure.

What is an Enhanced DBS Check?

Used for protecting the most vulnerable in our society and available only to organisations, an Enhanced DBS check is a requirement for positions included in both the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 and the Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) regulations. Required for positions involving contact with children and/or vulnerable adults of a specified nature within a Regulated Activity.

Enhanced DBS Checks with Barred List Information

If the position is classified as a Regulated Activity under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, an additional check must also be completed. The applicant’s name must be checked against the DBS Children’s Barred List and/or the DBS Adult’s Barred List, depending on their job role.

When applying for an Enhanced check with Aaron’s Department, if your applicants are to carry out regulated activities, then you can easily opt for a check with the barred lists.

Examples of roles that are required to do barred lists check by law:

• Teachers
• Personal carers
• Taxi drivers

This DBS Certificate will contain all the information of the Enhanced check, with the addition of information from the children’s and/or adult’s barred lists.

Some Things to Consider When Applying for an Application

What Benefits Does Our Service Offer For Faster DBS Checks?

Our online, cost-effective system enables you to quickly register and set up candidate accounts. This allows the individual to easily complete the application form themselves, or for the company to do so on behalf of someone else, providing a smooth and stress-free process. The online system also provides you with regular updates sent to your email address to keep you in the loop at every stage.

Our countersignatories are all registered with the Disclosure and Barring Service and will handle your application with the utmost care and attention to ensure they are correct.